Protocol Magi :ORIGIN / Episode 11

Man's true best friend is the eleventg episode of Protocol Magi :ORIGIN.

Characters

 * Mashiro Mitsu
 * Nakajima Shiori / Aubade
 * Oshiro Hanako / Hyacinth (mentioned)
 * Abe Kira / Solstice
 * Hikawa Naomi / Numina (mentioned)
 * Aoyama Anna / Nimbus
 * Minami Mio / Métier
 * Kyoei
 * Minka
 * Hikawa Yuki (mentioned)

Episode
Kira sat down on the bench in the nearby park; she was supposed to meet up with Shiori and Mitsu in a while, and having had nothing else to do in the mean time, she had decided to head out a bit early. She leaned her head back, a content smile on her face as she let the sunrays warm it. Birds were singing in some nearby trees – but not nearby enough so that it would be annoying – and there was a slight breeze. Spring really was the best when it was like this, and to be honest, it was a nice change from the hectic life Kira otherwise lived; With her school work, skate practise, and the Magi fights. Moments like these, when she could just relax, at times felt like a luxury. She stretched her arms over her head, and when she lowered them again, her hand came to rest at something fuzzy.

“Eh?” she let out, and looked to her right. There, curled up on the bench, underneath her hand, was a black cat with a yellow tip on its tail peering up at her with one, judgeful, piercing green eye. “Hiya,” Kira smiled. “Where’d you come from? I could’ve sworn you weren’t here a minute ago, huh?”

The cat merely blinked, still peering at her.

“I’m Kira, by the way,” Kira spoke, gently tugging at the necklace around the cat’s neck to see if she could find a tag or something with the name of the cat – something she gave up after a few seconds, as the cat’s glare turned even more annoyed. “Well, I gotta have something to call you, so if you don’t want to show me a tag or something, then I guess I just have to make up a name?”

Still no reaction from the cat, so Kira took that as a “go ahead”. “What about Angel? That good with you?” This warranted no reaction from the cat either, aside of a dissatisfied twitch of its nose.

“Okay, not Angel. And I guess Kitty’s not an option either?” The cat hissed. “Noted. What about Meowth?” Another hiss.

“Okay,” she said. “What about Minka?”

At least, the cat didn’t hiss this time; it merely closed its eyes again and rested her head on the bench again. “Alright, Minka it is,” Kira stated, and then asked, “What are you doing here?”

Seeing as she continued speaking, Minka cracked one of her eyes open again, seemingly annoyed at that fact. She closed her eye again.

“…Right, you just want to sleep,” Kira replied, rising up from the bench. “Well, don’t let me bother you, Minka. My friends have come now, so I’ve gotta go.”

The bluehaired girl rushed over to where her friends were already talking. “I keep telling you!” Mitsu spoke, “the Magi exist, you can’t deny that!” “I’m not,” Shiori spoke. “I just don’t see why I need to care. Plus, we’re here to have a calm day in town. I’m sorry, Mitsu, but whenever you start speaking about the Magi, things always seem to go sideways, so please, can we talk about something else?”

“Heya you two!” Kira greeted. “Ready to go?” The pair nodded. “This one wanted to go and pick up a new set of notebooks as well as the newest volume of that manga she likes.” “It’s Lovely Fighters! The author is back from their hiatus, and how can I not want to read the next volume! They ended at a really good cliffhanger, and I want to find out what happens next!” Mitsu protested. “Don’t make fun of me for it.” “I’m not making fun of you,” Shiori spoke, “I just said you wanted to go to the book store.” “Well, yeah, but when you usually say stuff like that, it’s some sort of underhanded tease or something!” “…You’re reading way too much into things,” Shiori replied, “I think it’s a good thing you have a hobby.”

“Shiori,” Kira asked. “Isn’t her Magi-mania also a hobby?” “That’s an obsession”, Shiori deadpanned.

“That’s exactly what I mean!” Mitsu complained, “you’re so mean, Shiori!”

The three were silent for a moment, before they all burst out laughing, walking down the street towards the mall.

“I wanted to go to the arcade and play that new dancing game too,” Kira spoke, “it’d be nice to just let loose a bit, you know?” “Ooh!” Mitsu let out, “the Soaring Girl one?! I wanna try that too!” “Sure,” Kira grinned. “It’d be fun to play against you.”

“Aren’t you just saying that because you want to absolutely obliterate Mitsu in it though?” Shiori asked, causing Kira to let out a laugh; Shiori wasn’t entirely wrong. “Nah, but it’s fun! Besides, I wanna see you two play it as well!” “Come on, Shiori!” Mitsu grinned. “It’ll be fun! We can even do Co-op if you don’t wanna go up against me!” Shiori hummed, lighthearted smile on her face. “Why don’t we see what happens while there first?”

“…So you’re gonna play?” Mitsu asked. “…I did come to have fun,” Shiori spoke, making the other two let out excited whoops.

They arrived at the book store first, letting Mitsu pick up the manga she wanted to buy as well as the notebooks – apparently the one she had been using up until now to keep track of magical girl activity had started to fill up, and then they were on the way to the arcade.

“I’m sorry,” the attendant to the arcade spoke once they headed there. “You can’t bring pets into the arcade.”

What pet? None of the three had any pets, and much less would have brought them to an arcade of all places. As they, in confusion looked at eachother, their eyes fell on the black cat that stood by their feet. “It’s not our cat,” Shiori spoke. “…Wait,” Kira uttered as she realized something, “isn’t that the-…” “The what?” Mitsu asked, prompting an explanation from Kira. “Well, when I was waiting for you guys in the park, this cat just suddenly appeared out of no-where. I don’t know why.”

“And it just decided to follow you?” Shiori asked. “Yeah, I guess?” Kira responded. Mitsu stared at the feline. “…What kinda’ cat just does that?” “I dunno’,” Kira nodded, “I didn’t even give it any sweets or anything.”

After quite a bit of struggling, the trio managed to get the cat outside of the arcade and stay there, so that they could finally go play.

Five minutes later, Mitsu was panting. “Kira-…” she spoke, “why’d you have to set it on the hardest setting!?” The other girl grinned, not at all out of breath. “…I just figured you could use the exercise.” “Sadist!” Mitsu poked the bluehaired girl, “at least do it to Shiori too!”

“Well, I would”, Kira spoke, “but I feel like playing a co-op game now. What’dya say, Shiori?” “Sure”, the other bluenette nodded, “but pick a different song this time around.” “Sure thing!”

“What the absolute lunacy!” Mitsu yelled after the two bluenettes completed their song. Predictably, Kira had managed a “Perfect!” on almost every beat, and Shiori had managed well enough to at least not reset their combo score. “Why are you so good at this?! Kira, I know, but Shiori, what’s your reason!?” “Kira lowered the difficult level when you weren’t looking,” Shiori spoke. “Plus,” Kira grinned ruffling (as much as it was possible when it was tied into a ponytail) Shiori’s hair, “didn’t you see how focused this one was?” “Hey, stop that!” Shiori protested, swatting Kira’s hand away. Kira snickered.

The trio understandably had a rather joyful time filled with banter and laughter – obligatory teasing included – and as such it wasn’t a wonder time went by quickly. Time, that wasn’t as fleeting in another place, that recently had lost an inhabitant.

Kyoei looked out the window at the vast wasteland outside with a frown. Sure, her and Shitto may not have gotten along most of the time, but it was a shame the other messenger had let her stress get to her and use the shade on herself. Kyoei wasn’t mourning, it wasn’t particularly in her interest to do so. She had even tried to advice Shitto against doing something rash but since the messenger of jealousy hadn’t listened; it had been Shitto’s own stupid fault that got her killed.

''“Stop lying to yourself. It’s annoying,”'' a voice rang out in her head, and she turned around, scowling at the hooded figure standing there. “You claim to be so above everyone else, Kyoei, and I do suppose that makes sense given your source material, but don’t forget I can hear your thoughts.”

Kyoei crossed her arms. “And of course you’re disowning any responsibility of what happened”, she scoffed. “Although I wouldn’t count on anything else from the likes of you.”

“Do not direct that meaningless spite at me”, the voice in her head spoke, agitation not matching the small parts of the other’s stonefaced expression that wasn’t covered by the hood. ''“I did what Shitto was unable to do. I followed orders. There is no other meaning to our existence. Pandora-sama created us. It is our duty to follow her. You would do well in understanding that.”''

“Like I’d forget with you constantly nagging me about it,” Kyoei bit back, “perhaps I’m not the one you’re scared that’ll forget.” “Keep telling yourself that, Vanity”, The voice rang out, and the hooded figure disappeared into the shadows.

“…Coward”, Kyoei muttered, looking back out the window.

“By the way,” Mitsu asked, “did the others say what they were supposed to be doing today?” “I think Naomi was taking care of Yuki,” Shiori replied, “and Hanako wanted to try out a new cupcake recipe with her family… Mitsu, no, we’re not going there to sate your cupcake addiction.” “I didn’t say anything!” “It showed clear on your face,” Shiori replied. “Seriously, how many times have you gone to Hanako’s place just to mooch cupcakes from her?” “…I’ve never done that!” Mitsu protested. “Is it wrong that I want to hang out with one of my friends?” “And how many times have she just happened to mention that she was baking in chat before?”

“…” Mitsu didn’t answer at first, and Kira laughed. “Mitsu, you’re really insufferable,” the cheerful bluenette spoke. “…shut up”, the brunet mumbled, cheeks red. “It’s not my fault she’s so good at baking.”

“At least you’re honest,” Shiori smiled. “But we’re just teasing. I mean, generally, Hanako doesn’t really mind sharing the sweets she makes, but she did say she was going to spend some time with her family.” “Yeah,” Kira spoke, “we should leave her to that. Besides, we can always go to that cafe on Himawari Avenue if you want to get something sweet?” “Sure, that’d be great!” Mitsu grinned. “Weren’t they having a new set of flavours for a limited time?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Kira nodded. “You good with that, Shiori?” The other bluehaired girl nodded, and the three headed out of the door, unaware of the green eyes studying them from a leisurely position on a wall on the other side of the street.

Neither were they expecting the cries that reached them only moments after they had turned the first corner, instantly putting the three on high alert. Mitsu instantly started dashing forward, leaving her friends behind her. The two shared a look, before they ran off in another direction, heading into an alleyway. Shiori pulled out her pendant, and Kira rose her right hand, touching her earring. The otherwise dark alleyway was briefly illuminated by blue and orange light.

Mitsu ran - of course she would, it was an attack after all… It had to be! For people to be screaming and rushing away from something, not a lot else made sense. So she kept pushing forward, even if her lungs were killing her. And sure enough, she soon came upon the sight of a large Shade that, judging from it’s gangly stature and the multitude of wheels, appeared to have been created from a bike. Mitsu had barely gotten out her phone to start recording when a large blue ripple appeared behind the Shade, and the blue, pigtailed Magi crashed into it with her heels, sending the Shade crashing into the force field behind it.

Solstice wasn’t far behind Aubade, landing on another force field created by said bluenette, jumped up and landed a roundhouse kick that sent the shade into the ground. In an attempt to stop their assault and get back at them, the Shade swept at Aubade, but it wasn’t with her the attack connected; Solstice took that opportunity to jump in between and as such, take the rather nasty hit. “You okay?” Aubade asked, jumping over the Shade’s next sweeping attack. “…Yeah,” Solstice replied, getting back up on her feet.

The pair traded blows with the Shade for a little while, before they managed to send it flying again down the by now empty street. Or as it turned out, almost empty.

As it got back up on its ‘feet’, the Shade noticed the presence of another living being. As if by instinct, it blindly swept its arm, and Solstice’s eyes widened, rushing forward to reach the being in danger before the arm could. Making it in the nick of time, Solstice scooped up the black cat with green eyes in her right arm, and rose her right to block the attack.

She gritted her teeth as she was pushed back several metres, but thankfully, Minka appeared to be unhurt. “What’s with you and following me, huh, Minka?” she asked. Predictably, the cat didn’t respond.

Then the pressure against her left arm was relieved as Aubade landed on the other side of it, grabbed a steady grip on it, and then sent the appendage – and the monster by extension – back. “…Isn’t that the same cat?” she asked after a moment. Solstice nodded. “I have no idea why this one keeps following me though,” she replied.

“Let’s place it somewhere it won’t get hurt.” “Yea-.. Hey!” the cat, deeming she had been carried long enough nimbly jumped down to the asphalt below, and it looked back at them with a judgeful eye, before calmly trotting over to a nearby bench, where it jumped up, and got comfortable, looking back as if daring them to move it.

“…I think it’s perfectly happy where it is”, Solstice mumbled. Aubade sighed, and the pair split up to avoid the Shade’s lunge. Not that it got very far with that attack either; Nimbus and Métier had arrived, much to the confusion to the already present Magi.

The yellow Magi faintly glowed as she ducked under the reach of the Shade, and landed a powerful punch to it’s midsection, and pushing it back – where Métier was waiting to to send the Shade into the air with a powerful kick.

“Heya!” Nimbus grinned at their confusion. “How’d you guys know there was an attack?” Solstice asked after a moment. “We didn’t have time to send a message.” “Apparently Naomi was in the nearby playground with Yuki, and she sent a message. Did you guys miss that?”

The pair nodded. “We may have already transformed by then,” Aubade nodded. “Weren’t you guys with Unicorn though?” Nimbus asked. “How’d you get away?” “Easy as pie,” Solstice grinned. “She went ahead on her own.”

“Uhm,” Métier spoke quietly, “she is kind of over there.” “…Don’t remind me,” Aubade muttered, sending a searing glare towards the fangirl.

Mitsu ignored it, too busy admiring the fact that she Shade was just now crashing back down into the ground, causing the four Magi to look back at it and instantly spread out, surrounding it.

Mitsu didn’t of course care all that much about the safety of herself, and now that she had realized she couldn’t hear what they were saying – and her phone would definitely not have been able to pick it up – decided to move closer.

The Magi weren’t late to notice this. “Oh for the love of-…” Aubade muttered, vaulting around a wheel suspended by wires connecting to its arm that had been sent by the Shade (why hadn’t it used that attack before?), which also conveniently came in the path of Métier, who wasted no time kicking it right back at the monster. And, naturally, as it stumbled backwards, it also took notice of the maniac, and haphazardly launched an attack in her direction – probably because it sensed she was easier to get rid of.

That is, if Aubade hadn’t predicted it; by now, she had plucked Mitsu away from danger enough times to know that if Mitsu appeared near a fight, she would get attacked one way or another.

That didn’t mean that she had to keep her agitation regarding the fact that she knew this, and Mitsu let out a shriek as she was suddenly way higher than she had planned on. Aubade had picked her up, and jumped out of the way of the attack.

“How many times do you need to be told to stay away from fights?” Aubade spoke, discontent evident in her voice. “It’s getting really tiresome having to pull you out of the line of fire.” It took a moment for Mitsu to respond (she still wasn’t used to the height). “…Then don’t!”

Aubade’s flat face conveyed her thoughts on the unreasonable suggestion.

“If you make me a magical girl-…” “Magi.” “If you make me a magical girl too-…” “No.” “Wh-… But, just hear me out!” Mitsu called out as Aubade put her down on a roof of one of the taller buildings and turned around to leave. “If you make me a magical girl too, you won’t have to protect me anymore! I can protect myself.” “‘No’, and ‘I highly doubt it’, in that order.” Aubade spoke, and jumped back to the fight just in time to block an attack aimed at Métier using one of her forcefields.

“…Thanks!” The pink Magi called out, getting out of the trajectory so Aubade could let go of the force field. Aubade shook her head, “don’t mention it. Now let’s deal with this before the unicorn manages to find her way down that building I stranded her on.” Solstice laughed, wiping some dirt from her cheek with the back of her hand. “Man, you really are cruel, Aubade!” “There is an elevator in the building,” Aubade countered. “But it’ll take her some time. Nimbus, you want to-..”

“Hey!” Solstice interrupted, somersaulting over one of the Shade’s attacks. “I’ve got all of this energy stored up! I don’t want my hard-earned profits to go to waste!” “…” Aubade looked at the orange Magi for a moment, and then nodded, and Solstice grinned.

Solstice jumped back a few metres, and rolled her shoulders. “‘kay, I’m good!” she called, and charged forward in an orange blur, firmly planted her palms at the center of the Shade and called “Solstice RAMPAGE!” The orange light appeared in it’s cone shape, and covered her form. It then separated to tendrils of light, pushing through the Shade and pushed the small black pearl out with it. The light collected back into a humanoid shape, and Solstice emerged from it. The pearl crackled to dust, and the fight was over.

Once Mitsu got back down the building, out of breath – apparently the elevator had been out of service so she had had to use the stairs instead and there were 15 floors. This fact, when Mitsu enthusiastically rambled at her to her friends at a later time, for a reason Mitsu wrote off as Kira finding amusement in ‘what’s the odds of that?’, caused Kira to laugh right out, and Shiori to go silent for a while (although that wasn’t that out of character to warrant suspicion). “…I’m kinda’ sad Hyacinth and Numina didn’t show up for this fight though,” Mitsu spoke. “I wonder why they didn’t.” “Eh,” Kira shrugged, “maybe they were busy. Speaking of which, we saw Anna ‘n Mio earlier when you ditched us. They were heading home.”

Mitsu let out a light "Huh." at that, and the three returned to walking in silence, until she, a moment later broke the silence again.

“…That cat is still following us”, she pointed out, and sure enough, Minka was trailing a few metres behind the trio.